Integration by partial fraction problem (∫dx/x(x^2 + 4)^2)

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Bimpo
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Homework Statement



I came across a problem that I can't solve
and it is ∫dx/x(x^2 + 4)^2

Homework Equations



None

The Attempt at a Solution


So I'm pretty sure this is to be solved by partial fraction since I am on a chapter on
Integration by partial fraction.

so I started with A/x + (Bx+C/x^2+4) + [Dx+E/(x^2 +4)^2]

and I get a reeeeaallllyy loooonnngg equation once I go around that
Am I on the right track? Or did I make a mistake? is this even to be solved by partial fraction?
 
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First rewrite as [itex]\int[/itex][itex]\frac{1}{x(x^2 + 4)^2}[/itex] dx

Then turn into partial fractions (lets ignore the integral part for now and focus on the fraction): [itex]\frac{A}{x}[/itex] + [itex]\frac{B}{(x^2 + 4)^2}[/itex] = [itex]\frac{1}{x(x^2 + 4)^2}[/itex]

A [itex](x^2 + 4)^2[/itex] + B[itex]x[/itex] = 1

Solve for A and B and plug back in.
 
Last edited:
Bimpo said:

Homework Statement



I came across a problem that I can't solve
and it is ∫dx/x(x^2 + 4)^2

Homework Equations



None

The Attempt at a Solution


So I'm pretty sure this is to be solved by partial fraction since I am on a chapter on
Integration by partial fraction.

so I started with A/x + (Bx+C/x^2+4) + [Dx+E/(x^2 +4)^2]

and I get a reeeeaallllyy loooonnngg equation once I go around that
Am I on the right track? Or did I make a mistake? is this even to be solved by partial fraction?
First try the substitution u = x2 .

You will still get to work with partial fractions, but they won't be quite as complicated.

I assume your problem is actually [itex]\displaystyle \int\ \frac{dx}{x(x^2+4)^2}\,.[/itex]

Parentheses are important.
 
Bimpo said:
so I started with A/x + (Bx+C/x^2+4) + [Dx+E/(x^2 +4)^2]

and I get a reeeeaallllyy loooonnngg equation once I go around that
Am I on the right track? Or did I make a mistake? is this even to be solved by partial fraction?
You should have written A/x + (Bx+C)/(x^2+4) + (Dx+E)/(x^2+4)^2. As SammyS said, parentheses are important.

Your expansion is fine. If you stick with this approach, you should find A=1/16, B=-1/16, C=0, D=-1/4, and E=0.
 
sorry for late response but thanks for the replies